Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday categorically denied reports that he called for the dismissal of Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot during a televised interview, calling the claim 'an absolute lie' and part of a political campaign against the government. Katz said the Chief of Staff had recommended Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa for the post in April, that he had approved the recommendation and interviewed Bar Kalifa in June, and that when a participant in the interview called for Blot's dismissal, he replied 'no.'
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday morning issued a statement categorically denying reports that he called for the dismissal of Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot during a televised interview, calling the accusation an "absolute lie" and part of a political campaign against the government. Katz provided a detailed timeline: the Chief of Staff recommended Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa for the post in April; Katz approved the recommendation and interviewed Bar Kalifa in June; when a participant in the interview called to "dismiss the general," Katz said he replied "no."
The statement is the latest in a series of developments that began Sunday night (23:22 Jerusalem) when Katz announced on live television that Bar Kalifa would replace Blot. The IDF General Staff immediately issued a rare public rebuke, stating the move was not coordinated with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Early Monday, Channel 14 commentators and military correspondent Noam Amir accused the Chief of Staff of lying about the appointment, claiming he had known for over a week. At 02:43 Jerusalem, Katz's office confirmed that the Bar Kalifa recommendation originated from Zamir in April, and that Katz interviewed him in June.
By 10:22 Jerusalem, Katz's denial had been published in multiple versions, culminating in the statement that the accusation was a political lie. The timeline he presented shows the appointment was already in motion months before the interview.
The friction between the political echelon and the IDF command has been intensifying, as The Zioneer reported in its Eye on Zion analysis, with the Chief of Staff freezing senior appointments to assert the military's professional autonomy during an election period.
The IDF has not commented on Katz's latest statement. The dispute remains unresolved, with the Chief of Staff's position on the Bar Kalifa appointment yet to be clarified.
10 developments
- StrongIsraeli the source reacts to Katz-Blott controversy, seeks Drucker's criticism
- StrongKatz: Timeline of Central Command chief appointment predates interview, denies on-air decision
- DevelopingPolitical commentary accuses Defense Minister Katz of 'ugly manipulation' in Central Command appointment
- DevelopingFalse report of defense minister firing general believed by public, analysis says
Source and signal
- Open-source intake